2013 and we're off!

Happy 2013! I hope that the year is starting off well for everyone. We had a nice but quiet New Year's Eve which consisted of Star Wars with Jake (which I slept through), cupcakes and good champagne and it was perfect for this year!

On January 1st, the Georgia Bulldogs played in the Capital One Bowl against Nebraska and killed em' --it was a great game and we were all excited by the win. 

After the game we were hanging out at home and I noticed Allie at the fridge and something seemed very familiar to me. 

Just a few days later the Ducks played in the Fiesta Bowl against Kansas State and happily the Ducks won! We let Jake stay up to watch the first half of the game and it was really fun watching with him until he fell asleep just before half-time. Every time the Ducks scored Jake said we won! He also at one point correctly compared DeAnthony Thomas to The Flash! My favorite Jakeism of the night was when he said, Go Oregon, Boo Canada. I don't think he has anything against Canada but it just sounds like Kansas.

How appropriate that Allie-cat's new napmat at school is a little cat. Her teacher sent us this adorable picture.

After a long night of everyone in our bed (Allie was teething and Jake was just being Jake), I think they were the only ones who slept. Good thing they're so cute!

Bubba's back! Back for another couple of months in Austin to explore the city and of course for time with Jake and Allie. Our babysitting expenses have dramatically been reduced but he keeps threatening us with a bill in March.

After the teething, the poor baby was hit with an ear infection. The doctor suggested that we give her the same medicine that Jake is allergic to. I asked the doctor if it was a good idea to give her the medicine, knowing that they're different kids...I'm sure you can see where this is going. Hives and a rash all over the poor little girl. Thankfully, it went away quickly and she's much better now.

Saturday morning snuggle and book time

I love how sweet Jake and Allie are with each other, like in the picture above, but they of course have their moments. 

Mommy: Jake, the playroom is a mess and we should clean it up.

Jake: Ok, but not the soldiers or the superheroes.

Mommy: Well then what stuff should we clean up?

Jake: How about Allie's stuff!

Whenever Alex brings me flowers he always says, "pretty girl, pretty flowers." Now he tells Allie the same thing.

More daddy-daughter love!

We celebrated Alex's birthday Saturday night with a wine tasting party which was lots of fun. Sunday, however, was less so.

Allie slept right through the party but Jake got to have his first sleepover at Bubba's. They went to the park, had dinner and dessert out and watched movies. They had a great time and it was great for us and the party too!

Let the Bubba-Jake adventure begin!

Sunday afternoon, still feeling the effects of the party, I dragged myself and the kiddos to a gymnastics party for Jake's friend D'vorah. 

Jake stretches out!

What's this all about?

Allie loved the trampoline and she was smiling from ear to ear. I'm not sure where we'll put it but I'm pretty sure there is one of these in our future.

On Alex's actual birthday, we celebrated with dinner at Chez Zee with the kiddos and Bubba.

And Happy Birthday to Uncle Phillip as well! Jake sent him a book of superheroes that he drew just for him! 

It was a fun month and we're ready to see what February brings! Enjoy the month!

Busy and Fun December

December started with the SEC Championship which would end with the winner headed to the national championship game. We took the kiddos down for a little pre-game tailgating before our babysitter spent the afternoon with them so I could watch the game with Alex.

Pretty cute little Georgia fans. It was a super close game and although it wasn't meant to be but a great season none the less.

We enjoyed Hanukkah but Jake of course was the most interested. He loved everything about it particularly the presents, the gelt and lighting the candles. The only thing he wasn't so crazy about was the latkes.

We met up one afternoon at Central Market for the JCC's Hanukkah party at Central Market. There wasn't much Hanukkah-ing going on but we had fun with the Riemer and Rapaport kiddos.

Jacob, Avi and Jake steer the ship and Max goes along for the ride

The Central Market climbing tree

Forget it. I'll just sit here. 

Holding hands and walking together!

Shorts and sleeveless tops one day and heavy jackets the next. That's some crazy weather we're having!

Finally sweater weather

Jake's sweater that Bubba got him in Peru

Allie's sweater was one of my most favorite baby gifts she received

A ridiculously cute shot that Alex took of Allie at bath time. 

The following weekend Allie and I headed to Chicago and Jake and Alex had boys weekend in Austin. We got to the airport super early on Saturday morning only to be told that our plane was delayed until noon. At 5:30 a.m. that was about the last thing I wanted to hear. We got on an 8 something plane and managed to do pretty well at wasting time till the flight.

Hooray! Mimi and Aunt Judy picked us up at the airport and we made it to Great's house! There is so much to see here and so much to touch and so many breakables!

Hanukkah with Great, Mimi and Aunt Judy

Checking out the Chicago skyline.

Once when my grandma came to visit us in Eugene she brought an empty suitcase just so she could buy shoes with no sales tax, the woman can shop! So we headed out for a little retail therapy.

Sharing her shopping secrets with Allie

It was a quick but very nice trip. I tried to make sure we took a 4-generations picture but our photographer (the building manager) seemed to have never seen an iPhone before so this was the best of the bunch.

Meanwhile, the boys had a fun weekend in Austin. They went to a friend's karate birthday party and had some fun out and about the town. 

Haircut and an emergency sweatshirt since it got really cold, really fast.

Allie's new chair, a present from Bubba! She loves having her own after basically claiming Jake's for herself. 

Saturday morning silliness and one of my new favorite pictures!

We had a long planned visit from the Helfman-Adler crew. The boys had the best time playing together and Allie liked playing with Jon.

At El Aroyo

PJs and playtime

Don't really know what is going on here but Allie seems amused.

Lisa arranged for us to do something totally different while they were in Austin. We went rock climbing and it was totally fun!

No strollers here. New Ergo carrier!!

Drew (up top) and Lisa went first. 

Ready to go!

Almost at the top!

Jake was next and he was ready to go although I'm not sure he really understood what we were doing until he was actually on the rock!

He got a little ways up and decided that he'd done enough. I was really proud that he even tried it but was blown away when about an hour later he said he wanted to go again! Nathan (4) had the same experience and what a super great experience and lesson for the kiddos.

Alex's turn

Awesome!

I want to climb next time!

We had a quiet Christmas day, visiting with some friends and then hanging out at home. Clearly it's a good thing Allie is Jewish since at the holiday party at her school she wanted absolutely nothing to do with Mr. Clause.

I also have to share their school pics. Jake's is pretty cute because it's Jake (couldn't they have combed his hair and chosen a less cheesy background) and Allie's is kind of ridiculous!

With Jake off of school until January 7th, he spent time in both of our offices. He was perfect but how is it that he ended up in my chair and on my computer?

The next day after spending some time at daddy's office, I had visitors for lunch! They were delicious! It was fun to have them come and hang with me.

We had a great last weekend of 2012. The Riemers came over for dinner, wine and playtime which is always a very good time!

Max and Allie's dinner date

We couldn't believe how nicely (and how long) they all sat there!

Saturday was a birthday party at the Austin Children's Museum and Allie's first visit. She loved it!

Jake keeps a watchful eye on Miss A

With good buddy, Mia

Fascinated!

We finished the weekend off with Jake's friend Sam and his family coming for brunch and Uncle Gordon and Melissa (she'll be Auntie Melissa on June 1 when they get married in Scotland with Alex and I in attendance) coming for dinner. Fun weekend!

The last day of 2013 and this picture kind of sums it all up for me. It has been such an amazing year watching them both grow and change and to see us through the first full year as a family of four. The difference in Allie is obvious as she has grown from a baby to a diva toddler with definite opinions about most things and definitely shoes and accessories! Jake has grown so much too, he's turning into a big boy who thankfully still loves to snuggle with his mommy and daddy. I hope that they always love (and sometimes tolerate) each other this much!

Sweet big brother reads his baby sister a book.
Love, love, love!

Happy New Year and a wonderful 2013 for everyone!